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Hybrid energy, increased performance across the board and more luxury and tech features than ever before. That's Porsche's exciting plan for its next-generation 911, codenamed 992 and due to be revealed later this year.
As Porsche puts the final development touches on its next instalment of the evergreen 911 line, near production-ready mules have been spotted circulating both at the company's Zuffenhausen HQ and facilities around the globe. The new model is thought to be based on the same MMB platform technology that underpins the current Type-991 911 model range.
That platform was all new for the firstgeneration 991 back in late 2011. Despite the carry-over core architecture, the new 992 promises to be a radical departure, by the 911's evolutionary standards at least. In this context, it's worth remembering that the 996 and 997 variants of the 911 were based on the same core platform. Many view the 997 as a major step over its direct progenitor.
For the 992, arguably the most obvious visual change involves significantly increased tracks front and rear. It's thought the car's length and wheelbase will remain largely unchanged. The hybrid steel and aluminium structure of the MMB platform as seen in the 991, meanwhile, will be further optimised for weight and stiffness.
As ever, a full range of 911 variants are in development. The core Carrera models are expected to run an evolution of the current 911 Carrera's 3.0-litre turbo flat six. Power will grow by around 15hp, making the base Carrera good for around 385 metric horsepower and the Carrera S good for 435hp. However, the Turbo models are expected to make a major leap forward in power and performance.
Thanks to enhancements derived from the monstrous 700hp GT2 RS model, output from the Turbo's 3.8-litre flat six will grow from 540hp today to around 600hp. Porsche will also up the Turbo S's ante from 580hp to 640hp. The result? All Turbo models will sprint to 60mph in well under three seconds and be capable of
significantly more than 200mph.
Inside, the new model takes upmarket cues from the latest Panamera and Cayenne models. That will include additional LCD screens, including a further panel in the driver's instruments and a larger high definition display in the centre console, plus more connected features and even greater luxury. Further driver aids to augment existing systems such as Porsche Rear-wheel steer and active anti-roll system are odds on, too.
Whether Porsche will add some level of autonomous driving capability is unknown, but could prove a defining feature of the new model, not to mention a source of significant controversy. If the move to water cooling, PDK boxes and electric steering offended Porsche purists, what will they make of a 911 that can drive itself?
Whatever happens on the autonomous front, the feature that almost certainly will prove pivotal for the 992 is hybrid power. Full details aren't known, but the 911's rearengine architecture is actually well suited to hybridisation. The battery and electric motor can be forward mounted and drive the front axle, leaving the existing combustion package to power the rear.
The big test will be whether Porsche can shrink the electric components sufficiently to minimise the impact on both the front luggage compartment and the overall mass of the vehicle. Major advances in battery capacity are expected in the next few years including the use of solidstate technology. But that probably won't be ready in time for the hybrid 992. Relatively conventional lithium-ion battery packs and limited all-electric operation are therefore likely.
So the countdown has begun and we’ll be sniffing out all the details, whith more next month, no doubt.